IELTS Task 1 Formal Letters - Ultimate Guide

Summary

In this video, the presenter introduces a new strategy for writing task one formal letters, particularly for students preparing for exams. The approach focuses on simplifying the process by distinguishing between formal and informal letters and excluding semi-formal letters. Key steps include identifying the letter type, thoroughly understanding the task prompt, and planning before writing. The strategy emphasizes using personal experiences to make the letter coherent, structuring the content into four main points, and ensuring each point is sufficiently detailed. The presenter also highlights the importance of proofreading and enhancing vocabulary to elevate the overall quality of the letter.

Takeaways

• 📝 Understand the difference between formal and informal letters. If the word 'friend' is included, it's informal. Otherwise, it's formal.
• 💡 Always read the prompt carefully before starting to write. This will help prevent mistakes and save time.
• ✍️ Use personal experiences to relate to the prompt, making it easier to write a coherent letter.
• ⚠️ Ensure that the explanation in the letter makes logical sense to maintain coherence and cohesion.
• 📋 Plan the letter before writing by breaking it down into clear sections (e.g., introduction, reason for cancellation, request for another course).
• 🖊️ Start the letter by stating the purpose clearly, like 'I am writing to cancel my recently booked part-time course'.
• 🔢 Aim for 40-60 words for each bullet point or section to meet the 150-word minimum requirement.
• 🔍 Add details that are necessary for the reader to understand your situation, such as course start date or booking reference.
• 💼 When explaining why you need to cancel, provide a realistic and coherent reason that aligns with the request for an alternative course.
• 🔄 After writing, review the letter for grammar mistakes, repetitive vocabulary, and opportunities to upgrade words for clarity.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video?

The main focus of the video is teaching a new strategy for writing task one formal letters in under 20 minutes, while also adding a personal challenge for the teacher to write a Band 9 response.

What is the first step in the formal letter strategy?

The first step is determining whether the letter is formal or informal. If the prompt includes 'friend,' it is informal; otherwise, it is formal.

Why does the teacher emphasize reading the prompt carefully before writing?

Reading the prompt carefully helps students understand the task fully and avoid getting lost while writing, which can waste time and negatively affect both task one and task two scores.

How does the teacher suggest making the letter writing process easier?

The teacher suggests relating the prompt to personal real-life experiences to make it easier to write about and maintain coherence.

Why is it important to ensure coherence in the letter?

Coherence is important because the letter needs to make logical sense. For example, if a student says they can't study due to grief, it wouldn't make sense to ask about booking a different course in the same letter.

What is the significance of the '40 to 60' rule in the strategy?

The '40 to 60' rule means writing around 40 to 60 words for each bullet point in the task prompt. This ensures that the response is detailed enough and hits the 150-word requirement without being too long.

Why does the teacher recommend putting yourself in the reader's shoes?

The teacher recommends imagining the reader knows nothing about your situation, which encourages the writer to provide enough detail and clarity for the reader to understand the context.

What does the teacher suggest doing after writing the letter?

The teacher suggests checking for grammar and spelling mistakes, and improving vocabulary by replacing repetitive words with appropriate synonyms, without changing the meaning.

How does the teacher approach upgrading vocabulary in the letter?

The teacher looks for words that are repeated frequently, like 'course,' and replaces them with higher-level synonyms, such as 'pathway' or 'program,' to showcase a range of vocabulary.

What is the teacher’s final advice for formal and informal letters?

For both formal and informal letters, the teacher suggests signing off with 'Kind regards,' as it is suitable for both styles, reducing the complexity of deciding how to end the letter.